Washed Up in DC

After the blue Tsunami (so-called blu-nami, if you're a millennial) ushered Democrats back into control of both houses of Congress, Washed Up hosts Abigail Cavizo and Colin Mullaney take you through the races that made the difference. Ossoff v. Collins in Georgia. Talarico v. Paxton in Texas — as well as Abbott v. Hinojosa. Andrews v. Graham in South Carolina, and many more (too many to count)...

This week, Washed Up co-hosts discuss the latest developments heading into the 2026 midterm elections, including the political landscape, key races to watch, and what the results could mean for both parties. We break down the controversy surrounding Ilhan Omar, the breaking allegations about the late Senator Lindsey Graham, as well as the increasingly contentious governor's race in Ohio betwee...

Texan Edward Meshell of the Probably Soccer podcast joins Washed Up's Colin Mullaney for midterms commentary on the close Senate race between Democrat Texas State Representative James Talarico and Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General. This consequential race will in part decide the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, along with several other narrow Senate races like Michigan, between Mike R...

On this past week's episode of Washed Up, cohosts continue to discuss the alleged Cornell 7 rape case. Following the release of previously confidential records by the New York Times , including text messages and interviews detailing Jane Doe's statements in the weeks after the incident, the case has sparked renewed conversation about consent legal standards, trauma, and how sexual assault...

On Sept. 30, Washed Up’s Colin Mullaney attended an event at Ford’s Theatre, with former Senator, Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton. Moderated by Norah O’Donnell and featuring former Indiana governor Mitch Daniels, the panel discussed the 25th anniversary of 9/11. They emphasized the bipartisan leadership and response by the George Bush Administration to September 11 — which today...

The United Nations General Assembly was last week in New York City, where Washed Up's Colin Mullaney was dispatched to cover the day's events on the ground in NYC (i.e. from a Starbucks in Midtown). Donald Trump also returned to New York in his usual glory to deliver a "consequential" speech. Abigail Cavizo explains why Trump's threats of annihilation against Iran no longer h...

On this week’s episode of Washed Up, cohosts Abigail Cavizo and Colin Mullaney discuss the potential impeachment of Secretary Pete Hegseth. Many, including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), have called for this, because of the ongoing Iran War: a likely violation of the War Powers Resolution and Constitution. Massie has a political history with Trump, and two things can be true at once: Hegseth has acted...

The 25th Anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, was last Friday. On Washed Up, Colin Mullaney and Abigail Cavizo remember the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who lost their lives on that fateful day, at the World Trade Centers in NYC, at the Pentagon in DC, and onboard the highjacked and crashed airplanes. No doubt it was a watershed moment in American history, and one that carries profound weight and emo...

This episode was recorded on September 7, 2026. Abby and Colin are back with coast-to-coast coverage from a Gen Z perspective. For hard news this week, Abby covers the Lindsay Clancy case, and what the jury (11-1) decided. It’s a mistrial, meaning the prosecution must decide whether to retry her case. Clancy is guilty of killing her 3 children in 2023, and this case brings to light a conversation...

In this episode of Washed Up, Colin Mullaney is joined by Lacey Ordakowski to discuss the approx. $17 billion settlement (paid out over 10 years) reached between Meta and 47 state attorneys general, plus the District of Columbia (shoutout DC). The states suing the company allege that Meta deliberately designed its platforms to be addictive to, in particular, children; Meta denies any such wrongdoi...

This week in hard news, Colin Mullaney relays the USS Abraham Lincoln's extended deployment to the Middle East, amid the ongoing Iran War. The aircraft carrier — one of 11 belonging to the U.S. — will now be replaced by the USS George Washington; however, the prolonged deployment since Nov. 2025, has taken a heavy toll on the 5,000 sailors and marines onboard. Deteriorating conditions onboard...

This week, we’re still following up on our new format. It’s Abby’s turn to present our hard news, and we’ve got a lot to say about the future of the Midterm Elections. Recently, Trump proposed the SAVE Act, which would put federal restrictions on different voter ID laws. Democrats believe this is interesting timing, especially when Republicans may not be leading in some states. Interesting states...

This week on Washed Up, we launch a new format for the show, where one of us presents the "Hard News" and the other presents the "Soft News" of the week. Each topic is followed by a lively conversation so that we cover both the biggest political and the biggest cultural story each week. In "hard news," presented by Colin, Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security...

On this week's episode of Washed Up, we discuss the death of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who died at 71 years old. His funeral services are being held on July 28 in Washington, D.C., followed by services in South Carolina on July 29. We also discuss his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, replacing him and running in the upcoming special election. What are our thoughts on political succ...

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Lionel Messi playing perhaps his last world cup match at the age of 39. The game was hosted in New Jersey, and the US, Mexico, and Canada cohosted this year's matches. Why is Argentina so hated when it comes to soccer? Edward Meshell of Probably Soccer Podcast speculates it’s because Argentina is FIFA’s golden child and that it has...

America is going through a transitional period, as we celebrate 250 years since Independence. Our aging politicians are — in many cases — ill suited to represent us. Our current leaders lack moral clarity or courage. They want to play King, or cling onto power for life. Though our three-branch government, with checks and balances, is a smart and robust system — cracks are emerging. What answers ca...

This episode was recorded on June 25, 2026. A week before America250, Colin and Abigail discuss the (hopefully) end of the Iran War, with the Memorandum of Understanding. At the top of the episode, Colin talks his experience seeing Trump speak on the National Mall last week. Among other theatrics, he talks how great the economy is doing, the “small journey” that was the Iran War, and the “vandalis...

We are joined by Jessica Mills of NYU to discuss the evolution of Incel (involuntarily celibate) communities on the Internet. Who are they, and where do they come from? Often self-identified incels online build communities that thrive off of misogyny and shared grievances against women, and a shared secret language called a “cryptolect.” This crypolect in turn establishes an in-group vs. outgroup...

For the first time in 32 years, the US (along with Mexico and Canada) is hosting the FIFA Soccer World Cup. With the final match to occur July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, 48 international teams are competing for a shot to win the World Cup. The U.S. has faced off with Paraguay so far and next will play Australia and then Turkey. Edward Meshell of Probably Soccer Podcast joins Washed Up’s...

The AI Era is here, whether you like it or not. After nonstop talk of AI's inevitability during the last few years, we are now faced with integrating this change on many levels simultaneously: in our work, in our relationships, as a society, and even in warfare. Recent news indicates increased oversight of AI, and more caution around its accelerating influence: 1.) The Florida Attorney General sue...

In this evergreen episode, Washed Up cohosts discuss what they know about living in Washington DC. After having this podcast for over a year, it seemed about time to talk DC stereotypes, the ecosystem of Capitol Hill, the underrated National Mall, degrees of separation, the culture, the National Guard, back channeling, and more! In other news, Tulsi Gabbard stepped down from DNI and Trump sets up...

After the US and China hold a summit in Beijing between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Washed Up breaks down what — if anything — useful came of it, regarding the race to develop AI models and build data centers, a US arms deal with Taiwan, the U.S.'s likelihood to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, and China purchasing farmland and sending scholars to U.S. universit...

In the Golden Jubilee (50th) episode of Washed Up, co-hosts discuss the Gubernatorial Race in California. There are seven leading candidates running for your CA governor. With the debate that just occurred, we thought it was relevant to go into the major issues that impact CA today, such as the California dream affordability, homelessness, billionaires, and more. CA voters, look out for the primar...

This week we address the pervasive conflict and divide between Gen Z and other generations, including on affordability. What differentiates Gen Z from the Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, or even Gen Alpha? Where are there serious gaps in worldview — and why? How can our elderly elected leaders represent us, if they do not remotely understand what is in our best interests? Colin Mullaney and Abigail C...

On this week’s episode of Washed Up, cohosts Abby and Colin discuss the attempted assassination at the #whitehouse #correspondentsdinner. The suspect is #ColeTomasAllen, who was charged with the attempted assassination of #Trump. He allegedly stormed the security checkpoint at #WashingtonHilton, prompting many to question the safety of events like these. As DC residents, Washed Up has the unique e...